Dear Parent/Carer
There are currently vacancies for three parent governors to join the UCC Governing Body. I am writing to encourage you to consider putting your name forward – please see below for details of the role and how to put in a nomination.
What do Governors do? The Governing Body plays an important role in the life of UCC. It sets out and supports the strategic development of the school and holds the school’s leaders to account for the management and success of the school. Governors serve a 4-year term of office, at the end of which they either leave the Governing Body or can stand for a second term of 4 years.
What do parent governors do? As a parent governor, you’ll work with other governors to make sure the Governing Body is working effectively. You’ll be able to bring the parental perspective to meetings, although you’re not there to speak ‘on behalf’ of the parent body. Parent Governors should have:
- A commitment to the role and to improving outcomes for children
- Good inter-personal skills, curiosity and a willingness to learn and develop new skills
How much time is involved? The Governing Body meets five times in the academic year – between 5:30pm and 7:30pm on Wednesday evenings. In addition, each governor serves on one of three sub-committees: Curriculum and Attainment, Safeguarding and Welfare or Finance, Premises and Personnel. These meet at least three times a year, currently on Tuesday evenings, starting at 4:30pm.
Governors are also linked to an academic department or key area of the school and carry out one visit to the school each term to see how this aspect of the school operates.
If successful, you will also be expected to participate in training, most of which is now online and comprises units lasting between 10 minutes and 1½ hours, depending on the topic.
To nominate yourself: If you’re interested in joining the Governing Body, please submit:
- A brief letter nominating yourself.
- A short statement (no more than 250 words) explaining why you would like to serve as a parent governor and outlining:
- any relevant skills and experience that would help the Governing Body
- how you could contribute to the future work of the Governing Body
These statements will be used only if more than three applications are received and a vote is necessary, when they will be circulated to all those who are entitled to vote in the secret ballot. To ensure parity, just the first 250 words of each statement will be circulated.
Please email nominations to: Eleanor Flood, Clerk to the Governing Body at clerk@ullswatercc.co.uk by 9:00am Monday 07 October 2024. Alternatively, drop a written application into the school reception by the same date. An election will be held if more than three nominations are received.
Details and a job description for the role of School Governor can be found on the school website.
Yours faithfully
David Carter
Chair of the UCC Governing Body